Skywest in KASE

bLizZuE

bLizZuE

Calling for engine starts en français
I'm just curious, what limitations exist for Skywest regarding takeoff and landing in Aspen? Do you use wind gusts in your crosswind/tailwind calculations? Do you have any waivers?

Our CR7 limitations says 10kts of tailwind is the maximum. I've watched aircraft depart while the wind (ATIS and the tower report) exceeded that limitation. Our station agents think we're the worst pilots in the world because Skywest is always landing and departing and we're not. I was told yesterday (by the station) that I shouldn't bid Aspen flying if I wasn't going to takeoff and land (hah). I have only flown in and out of Aspen this winter maybe a dozen times, but several times required missed approaches/diversions due to wind and/or visibility. In that short amount of time I've learned that our station is clueless and highly combative towards the flight crews. Part of that combativeness seems to come from some illusion that Skywest is always departing and landing.

Just curious.
 
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bLizZuE said:
I'm just curious, what limitations exist for Skywest regarding takeoff and landing in Aspen? Do you use wind gusts in your crosswind/tailwind calculations? Do you have any waivers?

Our CR7 limitations says 10kts of tailwind is the maximum. I've watched aircraft depart while the wind (ATIS and the tower report) exceeded that limitation. Our station agents think we're the worst pilots in the world because Skywest is always landing and departing and we're not. I was told yesterday (by the station) that I shouldn't bid Aspen flying if I wasn't going to takeoff and land (hah). I have only flown in and out of Aspen this winter maybe a dozen times, but several times required missed approaches/diversions due to wind and/or visibility. In that short amount of time I've learned that our station is clueless and highly combative towards the flight crews. Part of that combativeness seems to come from some illusion that Skywest is always departing and landing.

Just curious.
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Passenger Service is trying to run your airline! Shocker! ;)
 
I guess I should clarify, that no other station acts in this manner.
 
Not that I am familiar with SKW ASE ops, but years ago when ASA was operating a few flights out there only specially certified crews were authorized to operate the flights. I am not aware of any modifications to operating procedures that may or may not have been implemented.
 
surreal1221 said:
Not that I am familiar with SKW ASE ops, but years ago when ASA was operating a few flights out there only specially certified crews were authorized to operate the flights. I am not aware of any modifications to operating procedures that may or may not have been implemented.
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Our Aspen service is that way too.
 
surreal1221 said:
Not that I am familiar with SKW ASE ops, but years ago when ASA was operating a few flights out there only specially certified crews were authorized to operate the flights. I am not aware of any modifications to operating procedures that may or may not have been implemented.
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We are the same, ASE based crews. Technically ORD based, but you have to bid for it, be awarded, and attend ASE training.
 
I'm a SKW ASE pilot. The key is using "instantaneous" winds. Nobody here is stupid enough to bust limitations, and I've never seen it happen. No reason for it either...

We cancel all the time for weather, and are pay protected. It's just part of the job. If you think we don't cancel and divert all the time too, you are very mistaken.

I'm assuming you do the special LOC DME 15? Or just the LOC DME?
 
CamYZ125 said:
What the hell are "instantaneous" winds? Do you ask for a wind check just as you're about to flare?
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The last winds you hear before touching down are the legal winds. If you don't like what you hear, continue and keep asking. I don't know about ASE, but SUN doesn't even bother asking what our limitations are anymore. They just know.
 
CamYZ125 said:
What the hell are "instantaneous" winds? Do you ask for a wind check just as you're about to flare?
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ASE is strange. After waypoint CEYAG (almost a 3 mi final), we are committed to either landing or doing the balked landing procedure. The missed approach is NOT an option after that point.

So we will ask for the instantaneous winds (an ASE thing, they are familiar with the term and helped develop it), and if we like what we hear up to CEYAG, continue. If prior to CEYAG we don't like it, we do the missed approach.

Instantaneous winds are defined as an average of the last 3 seconds. Since this wouldn't take into account gusts (obviously), you must consider that info as well when making the decision.

It is somewhat unusual 121 flying, but that's what many of us enjoy about it.
 
GypsyPilot said:
I'm a SKW ASE pilot. The key is using "instantaneous" winds. Nobody here is stupid enough to bust limitations, and I've never seen it happen. No reason for it either...

We cancel all the time for weather, and are pay protected. It's just part of the job. If you think we don't cancel and divert all the time too, you are very mistaken.

I'm assuming you do the special LOC DME 15? Or just the LOC DME?
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Yea, we don't use the instantaneous winds.

I know you guys probably have the same issues with cancellations and diversions, it's our station agents that seem to think you're invincible.

LOC DME 15.
 
bLizZuE said:
Yea, we don't use the instantaneous winds.

I know you guys probably have the same issues with cancellations and diversions, it's our station agents that seem to think you're invincible.

LOC DME 15.
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I figured that was the case. Since we do so many more ops, they see us there more often and naturally think we get in every time.

Are you guys flying after this month still? Wasn't sure if you did it all season or not... This year is the first year I've stayed in. Usually I go back to the DEN base after March.
 
We fly there the first week of April then we're off until the summer season. I like the flying and the requirement to think while at work, but dealing with the agents over this winter has been enough to turn me off to it.
 
Oh and there was that one time when they de-iced us, and we had to return to gate for the wind, and I noticed snow and ice all over the wings...
 
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